a love of all things vintage and homemade

Well, it’s been a fairly quiet week, mainly due to wintry illness and lethargy! The television has been watched, most notably ‘Wolf Hall’ – gosh, that is good – books have been read, and yarny crafts have been in hand whenever possible.

My version of the Sophie’s Universe CAL is looking lovely. I had a few colour qualms earlier in the week but once I fastened off at the end of part 3 and took a photo I felt a lot better about my choices so far. I am using the Stylecraft colours suggested but I placed them in order myself, based on the other yarn colours. I think it’s coming together ok…

Another WIP is now complete too!! I saw a hat I liked in Simply Crochet magazine which used the crocodile stitch but unfortunately it was a toddler-sized pattern. So, after a bit of faffing about, I came up with this…

Please excuse the poor photo – there was no one around to take one of me so this not-so-good selfie will have to suffice! It’s lovely and warm though, and made in Stylecraft Extra Special dk with a 4 mm hook, my usual weapons of choice!

I finally finished reading ‘Love, Nina’ this week too, It’s been my book at bedtime in January, nothing too heavy, you can dip into it, read a couple of pages, leave it until the next night, ideal for me. If i read nothing else all day at least I know I have read a page or two at bedtime! So tonight I will begin something new, not sure what yet.

And it’s Friday! Hoping to get out for a stroll this weekend, breathe some fresh air, maybe find some snowdrops, oh and cast on for the Sous Sous KAL too, but more about that next week!

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So, this week has been all about CALs, and KALs, and MKALs. For those who may not know these are events where groups of crafters all knit or crochet along together – see, Crochet A Long, and so on, so clever and cute, I love it 🙂 And the MKAL is a Mystery Knit A Long – even more fun to be had there, as you don’t know where the pattern will take you…! So the first one I started is the Sophie’s Universe CAL. Parts 1 and 2 were released on Sunday and in the evening I gathered my yarns and hook together, settled down with ‘Call the Midwife’ and a glass of rosé, and began hooking. The instructions are really clear, with a great round by round photo tutorial, and I’m really pleased with how mine came together.

I’m using Stylecraft Special DK with a 4mm hook. Looking forward to the next clue 🙂 Then on Monday a new MKAL began in a group on Ravelry with a pattern from Ysolda Teague. The final piece will be a shawl and mine is in 4ply Stylecraft Life on a 4mm circular needle.

Also this week I’ve been crocheting little hats for premature babies, a charity close to my heart. And it feels good to give something back 🙂 And I’ve started to read ‘Mystery in White’ by J. Jefferson Farjeon, another book I received at Christmas. Happy Friday xx

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Another Friday already – and am I glad! There is something about Friday that feels full of promise, anything could happen, the whole weekend ahead – in reality it will probably be just another weekend but for now the promise is there!

Since last Friday I have finished one WIP – the Sunlight shawl – and I’m really pleased with how it turned out. All ends are sewn in, it’s blocked and ready to go…

The Sunlight shawl

The cosy blanket is progressing well – I’m up to stripe 26 now and it’s lovely to sit with in the evening, over my lap, crocheting away 🙂

Still not finished the tie, but it’s getting there. And the hat needs one more round, so should be done today.

I also finished reading ‘The Strange Library’ by Haruki Murakami. It’s a charming little story, and reminds me of a book I could have read as a child, or read to my own children. Although it is darker, it just has that feel to it. I’d be interested to know what others think.

The Strange Library

And that is this week. I’ve been finding lots of new CALs/KALs that are about to begin. So if I can finish these current WIPs I can get some new projects on the go – what fun!

Happy Friday xx

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It seems everywhere I look today people are posting about their resolutions for the New Year – things to do, promises made, ideas they plan to bring into being, and so on. It made me think about my own approach to the New Year and those things that I might like to undertake, so here goes…

I’ve decided to keep a project diary, where I’ll keep track of all my knitting and crochet projects, plus any other craft-based ideas I might have along the way. I’ll include the details of the yarn I’m using, the hook or needle size, even the yarn shop/website the yarn came from, if necessary. Then I can track my progress, and see how I’m getting on.

And I thought it might be an idea to add the books I’m reading, just so I have a record of those too.

As well as any fabulous recipes I come across, and the results if I try them out!

And find time every Friday for a regular update here, to share what’s happened throughout the week.

So, this week’s projects are:

My Attic24 Cosy Stripe Blanket

My cosy stripe blanket

16 stripes in, more to follow this weekend 🙂

Next, a crocodile stitch hat from simply Crochet Magazine…

My crocodile stitch hat

The pattern is for a child’s size hat but it’s so cute I wanted one for myself, so I’m trying to make it larger – watch this space 😉

And last, but not least, a knitted tie for my hubby, which was meant to be for Christmas but somehow didn’t quite make it! almost done tho’

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I don’t know what it’s like for everyone else but right now, life in my house is very busy! Whether it’s revising for exams, completing application forms, attending appointments, as well as just keeping on top of everyday family business, it really is all go. So much so, that today I decided I must try and grab a little bit of ‘me time’ whenever I can…

And so, this morning, after taking one son to his chiropractor’s appointment and before making lunch, I sat in the sunshine for half an hour and started Zooty Owl’s Road Trip Scarf or, as mine will now be known, my rooftop shawlette!

Then it was back to business, making lunch, sorting laundry, making sure the eldest son was revising, and all before the afternoon school run. Home again, and time to grab another 30 minutes of ‘me time’ – this time with a cup of tea and a great book.

Perfect – and then back to getting on with dinner, homework, more revision, baths, bedtime, oh and a little bit of knitting for me before bed! Busy days indeed!

Happy Wednesday xx

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Love. There are so many photos that I could have taken but over the past couple of days I have been preoccupied by one particular love – books. There’s something about the holidays which inspires me to get my reading in order, so yesterday, armed with a list and a lot of ideas, I set out for Waterstones…